Abstract
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Abstract; Background: Sub-Saharan Africa is the region with the highest neonatal mortality rate, with 27 deaths per 1000 live births. The Uganda Clinical Guidelines (UCG) from 2016 have detailed descriptions on care for mothers and their newborns during pregnancy, delivery and the post-partum period, both in cases of normal as well as complicated births.Methods: The study used a qualitative method with data collection from participant observations, interviews with key-informants and focus group discussions. Malterud’s Systematic Text Condensation (STC) was used for analysis.Results: The study found various discrepancies between performed hands-on-procedures and the UCG related to neonatal care practices, including uncertainty around timing for cord clamping, routine oronasopharyngeal suction of newborns and inadequate implementation of kangaroo care.Conclusions: Continued focus on systemic strategies for further implementation of the UCG is recommended